Plan Your Hike to Machu Picchu With Expert
Advice!

There are several ways to
get to
Machu Picchu. Besides the train and bus combination there
is the possibility to walk. The Inca Trail is available for hikers who
book months ahead and travel with a guided tour group. Otherwise the
access to the trail is prohibited.

You will have to plan your trip carefully by taking account of the route
itself, the time limits and visitor number limits, the atmospherical
conditions.

Mental and physical preparation is necessary. If you speak a little
Spanish, that will also help you in communicating.

It is a hard hike. Experts say it has "moderate difficulty", but for the
average person it is hard.

The trip will often reach heights close to 4.000 m (12.120 ft) and sometimes above
that. Long sections of the trail are actually above
Machu
Picchu!

The whole trip on the Inca Trail takes 4 days and the views are
spectacular! You will get the chance to see multiple archaeological sites
that are only accessible through the trail!

What You Need to Know About the Inca Trail

It is a vast network of trails stretching in the Andes and extending
throughout Peru, even into Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia.

The Inca Trail that leads to Machu Picchu is just a small section of the
whole
Inca Trail system. The complete network has somewhere
around 23.000 km (14.300 mi) in length.

It is strongly believed that this Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu was
never discovered by the Spanish conquistadores. If it would have been, it
would have led to the end of Machu
Picchu.

Why Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is Special

You will be
able to see more ruins than others who don't take on the trail

The sights
are spectacular, you will be able to take a lot of good photos

You can put
your body to the test, enjoy an Andean hiking adventure at high altitude!

Socializing,
meeting new friends, exchanging experience with the other hikers is
another important factor

You will
learn how to keep nature clean and why conserving archaeological ruins is
so important

You will get
to Machu Picchu before the large crowds of tourists who go by train and
bus!

There you see all the primary advantages.

It can be a great trip. Old people and young teenagers also try it.

Though, you have to keep in mind that for such altitudes you must get
prepared and do a medical checkup.

The area where the Inca Trail runs has a rich fauna and flora especially.
Over 250 subspecies of orchids live here.

Don't drink alcohol and avoid any drinks and foods with substantial toxic
and/or artificial content (such as coke and a variety of sweets). These
hit hard on the organism and will make you feel more tired.

Eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and drink natural juices. Take in food
with calories, but avoid fats.

The long Inca Trail trip is more difficult. The short one is easier,
shorter. Though, you will still have to climb high and most of the hike is
on identical terrain.

If you take the long Inca Trail hike, then when you reach the Warmiwañusca
(the "Dead Woman's Pass"), you'll be at
4.200 m (13.780 ft). A very difficult hike to do. This usually happens on day 2,
after you pass the first high altitude jungle.

Packing: What to Take and What Not to Take

The trip must be taken seriously, therefore a number of important objects
must be taken. But there is a large number of items that you shouldn't
take - they will either bother you or the others or are otherwise
unsuitable.

Must take items:

Documents for identification: national i.d., passport etc.

Maps and schemes
of the area: you will find such in Cuzco's shops or by
searching on the internet

Hat/cap:
there are strong winds, frequent rain and the sun rays burn - a hat
protects from all three!

Raincoat:
frequent rains, drizzles and sometimes even storms occur and the air is
generally wet in the morning

Long trousers:
because short ones don't protect you from insects and stinging plants,
terrain

Long-sleeved shirts: essential
similarly to pants, but also because of the cold at night

Multiple pairs of socks: at least 8 if you will hike for 4
days - you will need to change them frequently

Comfortable hiking boots: make sure that you have been
walking in them before and got used to them (note that shoes aren't
adequate, take boots - these protect your ankles and are more resistant on
rocks)

Camera: possibly a light camera and plenty of cards to store
photos on

Large backpack for most of your items

Additions items - good to take if you have:

Team: the warm tea will replace the soup - warm liquid is essential
for your stomach and intestines

Energy bars, chocolate: though, you might
look weird and others will feel hurt if you don't offer them too

Nuts and seeds: especially sunflower seeds
are energy full, but peanuts are also adequate

Dry fruits: very good for compensating lost vitamins and minerals

Water purification tables: good to have some,
especially if you have a sensitive stomach

Small backpack to put inside large one:
used for shorter trips

What not to take - it is a big mistake to take
any of these:

Any
music-playing device: you will need to concentrate on your steps and
you will have to enjoy the scenery - leave such hi-tech things at home!

Cigarettes, alcohol

Books: there is really no need to take, except you have a small light
guidebook that is indispensable

Large
cutting items like machetes etc.: you will not need them, you are not
going to the Amazon!

Too
many clothes, "fancy clothes"

Hand
luggage: it takes your time and effort away - you need both hands
free!

Pack smart: don't take more than 15 kgs. Even
this amount is very heavy. Hiking companies usually have employees
specialized in carrying luggage. They will take your heavy backpack and
you can hike easier with a lighter pack.

Don't take with you items that are not
necessary for the hike. You won't have any possibility to leave them
behind in safety.

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